PDP convention at risk as leadership feud escalates over state chapter
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a deepening leadership crisis that threatens to derail its forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, as a feud within the National Working Committee (NWC) over the dissolution of its Akwa Ibom State chapter escalates.
The convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16, is now overshadowed by disagreements between acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum and National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
Damagum, supported by 16 NWC members, approved the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom State executive and installed a caretaker committee, citing reports that the structure was compromised and aligned with Governor Umo Eno, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
But Anyanwu rejected the decision, insisting it was unconstitutional. In a letter dated October 1, he declared the action “null and void,” stressing that the NWC never met formally to ratify such a move and that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) has the power to dissolve state chapters. He also accused the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, of misleading the public with what he called a “fabricated decision.”
Ologunagba, however, defended the action, maintaining that 16 of 19 NWC members attended the 607th meeting where the dissolution was decided. He said Anyanwu lacked the authority to overturn NWC resolutions, accusing him of placing personal interests above the collective interest of the party.
The National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, also supported the decision, saying the caretaker committee was necessary to safeguard party structures in Akwa Ibom and Cross River after their governors defected.
However, Anyanwu, a close ally of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, continues to clash with Damagum’s leadership. The Wike camp has already issued conditions for participating in the convention, including fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra, respect for judicial rulings in Southeast and Southsouth states, and retention of the national chairmanship in the Northcentral.
Wike himself has warned that unless these issues are resolved, the Ibadan convention could be undermined. “The issue of the national convention is not the problem; the issue is the problem leading to the convention,” he said.
